Manx Shearwater

Manx shearwaters are a medium-sized member of the Procellariidae seabird family, donning the name ‘Manx puffin’ until the mid-17th Century. Recorded as the longest-living birds in Britain, one bird lived to be 50 years, 11 months and 21 days old!

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS 

Did you know manx shearwaters are related to the majestic albatross? Not quite so mighty, these black and white birds are similar in size to the collared dove -- with wing spans reaching up to 90cm. Under the safety of darkness they venture back to their onshore burrows for breeding when you can hear their ghostly calls - very unusual! They love to soar above the wave tops and their flight is quite distinctive, staying low and then swooping up and over a wave.